STEP - Science and Technology in the European Periphery

The Department of Science, Technology, and Policy Studies, University of
Twente has vacancies for two PhD positions as part of a research programme
in the history of chemistry, headed by Prof. dr. Lissa Roberts.

PhD position #1:

Chemistry education and training in the Netherlands during the second half
of the long eighteenth century

(0.84 fte [32 hours] per week for the duration of 56 months)

The challenge

Chemistry was involved in virtually every aspect of life in the
Netherlands during the eighteenth century, especially as the Dutch
struggled with rising competition from abroad. Chemistry was crucial for
maintaining health and investigating nature, for improving agriculture,
pursuing overseas trade and developing new industrial processes and
products. So too were chemical knowledge and know-how necessary for
artists and artisans, as well as for those who supplied the public with
luxury goods such as cosmetics, perfumes and liqueurs. This PhD project
is part of a larger NWO funded research programme on 'the history of
chemistry in everyday life' which seeks to understand chemistry in terms
of its active presence in Dutch intellectual, social, cultural, economic
and political life during the second half of the long eighteenth century.
The primary task of this PhD project is to identify and explore the range
of sites and actors involved in chemistry education and training during
the second half of the long eighteenth century in and around the
Netherlands. The goal is to harness this examination to an understanding
of chemistry's role in the broader historical context during a period
known, on one hand, as one of decline in the Netherlands and, on the other
hand, as having witnessed a chemical revolution.

The successful candidate will work as part of a larger team of historians
who are engaged in integrating the history of science and technology with
broader themes of history. The first year will be taken up with deepening
knowledge of relevant historical subfields and writing a dissertation
proposal which translates the project's general contours into a
personalized research plan. In addition to writing a dissertation, this
project offers an opportunity to take part in the production of a museum
exhibition on the history of chemistry in everyday life.

Your profile

You have a masters degree in history with demonstrable interest in one or
more of the subfields that are relevant to this project, such as the
history of science and technology, economic history, overseas history, the
long eighteenth century. Knowledge of current-day chemistry is not
necessary. You read English, Dutch, French and German, are able and
willing to work hard and independently, as well as working well with a
team. Critical thinking and the ability to formulate coherently analytical
arguments are also basic requirements. It is further expected that you
will write your dissertation and accompanying publications in English.

PhD position #2

Chemistry, entrepreneurship and governance in the Netherlands during the
second half of the long eighteenth century

(0.84 fte [32 hours] per week for the duration of 56 months)

The challenge

Chemistry was involved in virtually every aspect of life in the
Netherlands during the eighteenth century, especially as the Dutch
struggled with rising competition from abroad. Chemistry was crucial for
maintaining health and investigating nature, for improving agriculture,
pursuing overseas trade and developing new industrial processes and
products. So too were chemical knowledge and know-how necessary for
artists and artisans, as well as for those who supplied the public with
luxury goods such as cosmetics, perfumes and liqueurs. This PhD project
is part of a larger NWO funded research programme on 'the history of
chemistry in everyday life' which seeks to understand chemistry in terms
of its active presence in Dutch intellectual, social, cultural, economic
and political life during the second half of the long eighteenth century.
The primary research task of this PhD project is to identify and explore
the relationships between chemistry, entrepreneurship and governance in
three areas: profit-oriented commercial ventures, societally-oriented
private initiatives (amateur societies, etc.) and government programs that
sought to nurture and manage such chemistry related activities. Situating
this investigation in the broader historical context will help make deeper
sense of both.

The successful candidate will work as part of a larger team of historians
who are engaged in integrating the history of science and technology with
broader themes of history. The first year will be taken up with deepening
knowledge of relevant historical subfields and writing a dissertation
proposal which translates the project's general contours into a
personalized research plan. In addition to writing a dissertation, this
project offers an opportunity to take part in the production of a museum
exhibition on the history of chemistry in everyday life.

Your profile

You have a masters degree in history with demonstrable interest in one or
more of the subfields that are relevant to this project, such as the
history of science and technology, economic history, overseas history, the
eighteenth century. Knowledge of current-day chemistry is not necessary.
You read English, Dutch, French and German, are able and willing to work
hard and independently, as well as working well with a team. Critical
thinking and the ability to formulate coherently analytical arguments are
also basic requirements. It is further expected that you will write your
dissertation and accompanying publications in English.

Our offer

We offer a very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary
environment. As a PhD candidate you will be appointed in a full-time
position for a period of four years, at the end of which you must have
completed your PhD thesis. The gross monthly salary for a PhD increases
from EUR 2042 in the first year to EUR 2612 in the final year (in
accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities).
In addition, the University of Twente offers additional attractive
employment conditions. As a PhD candidate you will join the programme
"Governance of Knowledge and Innovation" of the Twente Graduate School
(
http://www.utwente.nl/tgs/programmes/innovationandgovernancestudies/gove...
<
http://www.utwente.nl/tgs/programmes/innovationandgovernancestudies/governanceofknowledgeandinnovation/>
). The GKI programme provides participants with the necessary
qualifications to contribute to comparative research in the governance of
science, technology, innovation, higher education and research, seeking to
understand social, cultural and historical dynamics conceptually and
empirically.

Information and application

For more information on this position you can contact Prof. Dr. Lissa
Roberts, e-mail: l.l.roberts@utwente.nl, phone: +31 53 4894674.

To apply for this position, please fill in the application form including
your resume and list of publications on http://www.utwente.nl/vacatures/
before 20 October 2010.